44 JOURNAL, BOMBAY i^ATDRAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol.XlV 



escape from one she had no regard for. I can add many more 

 instances like those mentioned above regarding the non-criminal use of 

 Datura, but I must consider the space I can reasonably claim in this 

 journal. 



Dr. Norman Chevers dwells a great deal on the criminal use of the 

 Datura plant by the natives of India, namely, for stupifying the 

 victims and then robbing them of their money, by the administration 

 of either Datura leaves or pounded Datura seeds in bread, sweetmeats 

 or drink. But I must add here that the practice of poisoning for 

 criminal purposes is well known to have been followed even in 

 European countries, as testified to by European writers. It only 

 means that human criminal nature is alike, all over the world, where 

 gain by sordid means is concerned. Dr. Christison has it, in his work 

 on Poisons cited above, that the Thorn-apple in his day was being used 

 in Germany to cause loss of consciousness and lethargy, preparatory to 

 the commission of various crimes. It is known to have been used in 

 France also for making men insensible with wine, in which Thorn-apple 

 seeds had been steeped. Note thai thereafter the insensible and help- 

 less men were robbed of their personal effects. Vicat in his treatise 

 on the Poisonous Plants of Switzerland mentions a case of poisoning 

 by the Thorn-apple plant. 



Dr. Chevers cites cases in which Datura is used for suicidal purposes. 

 ( See p. 203. op. cit. ). Dr. Shortt of Madras has recorded that a middle- 

 aged Brahmin returned as usual in the morning from his field, and 

 fell, admitting, on being questioned by the women of the house, that 

 he had eaten Datura leaves. Dr. Shortt says, that the suicide of 

 this Brahmin was imitated by two girls who lived not far off, and 

 who poisoned themselves with Datura while the sensation caused by 

 his death prevailed. It is a well-known fact that suicide is often a con- 

 tagious infirmity of the human mind. Dr. Norman Chevers' work 

 is replete with many more instances of accidental or non-criminal, 

 as well as criminal intentional poisoning with Datura. But I 

 must say Buss after having so largely quoted him in the foregoing 

 remarks. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE U. 



Note that the name of the plant is Datura fasiuosa, and not I), 

 fastusa as printed on the plate. 



